LeBron James Speaks!!! And Chris Brockman Is All Ears!

LeBron James made his first public appearance of his free agency period at Fanatics Fest, and he used part of it to address a take from this show.

Some context on how we got here. Chris said on the air that if LeBron joined the Miami Heat, have fun in the play-in tournament, and that everyone should ready themselves for LeBron to be a non-factor this season. LeBron responded by reposting the video with 22 laughing emojis pointed directly at Chris.

Then he said the quiet part out loud at Fanatics Fest.

"Saying something on social media the other day that wherever I go that maybe in the play-in something like that and I'm not a factor anymore," LeBron said. "So, I did that as well, too. So, that's just a little motivation as well."

Rich asked Chris how he was feeling. "A little nervous," he said, before recovering. "I said it and I believe it."

What followed was a genuinely useful piece of forensics. Chris pushed back on the paraphrase, because he did not say wherever LeBron goes. He said Miami specifically. If he goes there, enjoy the play-in. Cleveland, in Chris's framing, could go to the Finals or win it all, because LeBron is that good.

Which changes the meaning of the emoji salute entirely. Miami fans read the 22 emojis as confirmation LeBron was headed to South Florida, since the play-in comment was Miami-specific. Rich removed that from the table. LeBron was not confirming a destination. He could not get past the non-factor line, to the point where he felt the need to amplify it.

"Which we appreciate it, LeBron. Thank you," Rich said, before requesting that next time he take it up with the show directly.

The invitation was extended in earnest, sort of. Rich floated the idea of LeBron zooming in, joked about being the Jim Gray of the operation, and then hit the actual snag. He does not think LeBron is going to sit in that chair if he knows this is the show with the guy who has the non-factor thing.

Chris held his ground on the substance. "I don't think I was rude. It was just my opinion."

Rich's standing policy got restated in the process, and it is worth noting. If it is not obnoxious or rude or profane, you have the floor to say what you believe on this program.

The alternative theory floated for LeBron's reluctance was the furniture. Maybe he just does not like the chairs, sort of like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who does not mind your chair so much as he wants to remove you from the set. Chris volunteered to be out that day if it helps.

Then Rich landed the actual point, and it is the kind of thing that will age either very well or very badly. Chris may have personally caused his own take to be wrong.

"You are motivating LeBron. Thus, your take may not prove to be right," Rich said. "It might be a freezing cold take because you've heated up LeBron who might go to the Heat just to prove you wrong."

Chris's response: "That would be great."

Either way, as Rich concluded, Brockman is a factor. Twenty-two emojis to win.